Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Sapphire Reserve: Which Card Should You Get?

If you’ve ever Googled the "best travel credit card,” chances are you’ve come across the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

These two cards are among the most powerful options in the points world. But, the big question is: Which one deserves a spot in your wallet?

Let’s compare them side by side to help you decide.

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Reserve Key Features

Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Sapphire Preferred is one of the best travel cards for beginners (and even experienced travelers who like simplicity). It has a modest $95 annual fee and packs in serious value — especially with the current welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

With the new Points Boost program, points can now be worth up to 1.75x on select flights and hotels through Chase Travel when booking premium cabins, replacing the old 1.25x flat rate. For cardmembers who applied before June 23, 2025, points earned before October 26, 2025, will still redeem at 1.25x through October 26, 2027.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Sapphire Reserve is the Sapphire Preferred’s premium sibling — and it just got a major refresh. 

It comes with a $795 annual fee (up from $550), and authorized users cost $195 per year. But in exchange, Chase has loaded this card with over $2,700 in potential annual value, thanks to new credits, better earning rates, and the new Points Boost program.

Here’s the Sapphire Reserve’s current welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points plus a $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Side-By-Side Overview

Rewards

Both the Sapphire Preferred and Sapphire Reserve earn Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which are some of the most valuable transferrable points in the game. They can be redeemed in a variety of ways, including for cash back, travel, or transferred to 1:1 airline and hotel partners.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

With the Sapphire Preferred, you’ll earn Ultimate Rewards points at the following rates:

• 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel

• 3x points on dining, select streaming, and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)

• 2x points on other travel

• 1x point on everything else

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Sapphire Reserve earns elevated returns, including:

• 8x points on all Chase Travel purchases

• 5x points on Lyft (through 9/30/27)

• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

• 3x points on dining worldwide

• 1x points on everything else

Benefits

Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Sapphire Preferred comes with the following perks:

• Up to $50 annual Ultimate Rewards hotel credit (via Chase Travel)

• No foreign transaction fees

• Travel protections, including trip delay, cancellation, and primary rental car insurance

• Points Boost access for better redemptions

• Access to Chase's full list of 1:1 airline and hotel transfer partners

It’s flexible, rewarding, and easy to justify, even if you travel just once or twice each year.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Sapphire Reserve shines when it comes to premium perks. You’ll get:

• $300 annual travel credit

• Major statement credits across dining, entertainment, and wellness

• Lounge access for Priority Pass, Sapphire Lounges, and Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges (when flying Star Alliance)

• Points Boost of up to 2x value on select flights and hotels through Chase Travel

• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit, trip protections, and concierge service

• Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite Status (and an upgrade to Diamond Elite Status with $75K spend)

If you travel often and love perks like lounge access and luxury redemptions, this card has serious long-term value.

What Are These Cards Actually Worth?

Let’s break down the math. That Sapphire Preferred effective annual cost is just $45 after subtracting the $50 hotel credit. And, with its solid earning rates, it’s easy to get hundreds in value even as a casual traveler.

The Sapphire Reserve’s new $795 fee stings at first glance, but the travel credit offsets it quickly. Add in hundreds of dollars in statement credits (like StubHub and Sapphire Tables restaurants) and the Points Boost feature, and you’ve got a card that can genuinely deliver more than $1,000 in net value per year… if you use it.

But if you’re not using the lounge benefits or higher-tier perks regularly, you may be better off sticking with the more affordable Sapphire Preferred.

Why We Love the Sapphire Preferred at Daily Drop

At Daily Drop, we think the Sapphire Preferred hits the sweet spot. It offers excellent value without overcomplicating things. The rewards are generous, the perks are practical, and the low annual fee is easy to justify — especially with the hotel credit baked in.

It’s the ideal card if you’re dipping your toes into points and miles or want a dependable card for travel rewards without hefty fees. And with bonus categories that align with everyday spending, you’ll rack up points fast.

That said, if you’re someone who practically lives in airports and values the full VIP treatment, from lounge access to expedited airport security, the Sapphire Reserve could be a smart move. Just make sure you're traveling enough to actually benefit from it.

Bottom Line

Both Sapphire Preferred and the Sapphire Reserve offer exceptional value, but which one is right for you comes down to your travel habits, budget, and how much you value premium perks.

If you're just getting started with points or want a straightforward, rewarding travel card with a low annual fee, the Sapphire Preferred is hard to beat. But if you're a frequent flyer looking for elevated experiences, like airport lounges and stronger redemption value, the Sapphire Reserve could be the better option.

No matter which you choose, you’ll be earning Chase Ultimate Rewards points — one of the most flexible and valuable currencies in the game.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out the Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ if you’re looking for similar perks on the business side of things.